"Reasonableness" of Kois Results for Re-Entry Women: Implications for Test Validity

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the reaction of re-entry women to the KOIS with the view of establishing face validity of its scales. A sample of 56 women participating in a program leading toward entering community college took the KOIS, and upon receipt of their results rated the "reasonableness" of the individual sets of scales. Most of the women (over 70%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that their KOIS results seemed reasonable on each of the sets of scales. No one "strongly disagreed" with any scale set. High Raters were compared to Low Raters. Significant differences were found on mean lambda scores (especially on the Occupational Scales-Female Norms) and on the Verification Scale. The results are interpreted in terms of social desirability and its effect on the face validity of test results.

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